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Athlete's Foot

Athlete's foot is the most common fungal infection of the skin, characterized by fungal growth on the skin of the foot and occasionally on the toenails. The infectious fungal species thrives in warmth and dampness and is prevalent in gym locker rooms and around indoor swimming pools.

Symptoms of athlete's foot include itching, burning, and stinging sensations, as well as scaling, cracking, and inflammation of the skin between the toes and on the soles of the feet.

What To Consider

People with athlete's feet many times also have candidiasis (systemic yeast overgrowth) in the gastrointestinal tract. This must be treated for long-term relief of athlete's foot.

Eat a whole foods diet with emphasis on raw food and less dairy products. Avoid foods high in yeast such as beer and breads with yeast. Avoid sugar of all sorts (including honey and fruit juices) for some weeks while antifungal methods are being used.

Self-Care Tips

Nutritional Supplementation
The following supplements, taken alone or in combination with each other, are all useful in helpting to prevent and treat athlete's foot: Acidophilus, Bifidobacteria and L. bulgaricus, garlic capsules, vitamin A, vitamin B complex, vitamin C, vitamin E, and zinc.

Aromatherapy
Tea tree oil, patchouli, or geranium, applied topically to the infected areas.

Flower Essences
Rescue Remedy Cream; Crab Apple.

Herbs
Fungicidal herbs are an effective topical treatment for athlete's foot. Examples are myrrh, tea tree, and garlic. Tea tree oil can also be applied directly or diluted with calendula oil for application to sensitive skin. Soaking the affected area in grapefruit seed extract can also be helpful, as can taking grapefruit seed extract orally.

Other useful herbal topical applications include citrus seed extract, honey and crushed garlic, and pau d'arco tea (wet tea bag for ten minutes and then leave the bag itself on the area or use gauze or cotton soaked in tea if area is too large).

Homeopathy
Calendula, Chamomilla, Belladonna, Merc sol., and Sulfur.

Caution

If your symptoms persist despite the above measures, seek the help of a qualified health professional.

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